Player profile

Loris Karius was with Stuttgart's academy before joining Manchester City in 2009, his ex club's youth coordinator describing the money involved as 'well out of proportion'. He didn't make a first team appearance for City and was loaned to Mainz in 2011, the move becoming permanent in January 2012. He started out with Mainz II in the regional leagues, but in 2013/14 established himself as the club's first choice keeper in the Bundesliga. He was an ever present in 2015-16 and was signed by Liverpool to provide top class competition to Simon Mignolet.

Karius has represented Germany at all levels up to U-21 and was given an early opportunity to impress in pre-season when Mignolet was given an extended break due to Belgium's involvement in the European Championships. Karius looked destined to start the season as number one choice but suffered an early blow to his Liverpool career when he broke his hand in a friendly with Chelsea in Pasadena on 27 July and was estimated to be out for ten weeks but returned only in six to be on the bench for the visit of league champions Leicester City on 10 September. His first appearance was on 20 September away to Derby in the League Cup and he kept his place for the next Premiership game at home to Hull. He played ten successive Premier League games but after mistakes cost Liverpool points against Bournemouth and West Ham he was back o the bench. For the rest of the season he had to make do with playing in just the FA Cup and League Cup.

Prior to 2017/18 Klopp said that all three goalkeepers had a chance to vie for the number one jersey in pre season, but when the kickoff came Karius was second choice, behind Simon Mignolet but ahead of Danny Ward. Initially Klopp rotated his keepers with Karius appearing in the Champions League games. However for the second half of the season Karius became the undisputed first choice. He put in some sound performances but was unable to convince many fans and pundits he had the quality to be a keeper a club with such big ambition.

After a disastrous display in the Champions League final when he gifted Real Madrid two goals, his Liverpool future was in serious doubt. Karius was publicly backed by Klopp but in pre-season he was shaky, making mistakes against Tranmere and Borussia Dortmund. By the second of these Alisson had arrived and soon Karius was on his way to Turkish side Besiktas. The Reds have agreed an initial two-year loan with Besiktas paying a loan fee of £2.25million. Besiktas are obligated to buy the German shot-stopper for a further £7.25million in 2020 related to number of appearances and if the club qualifies for Europe. Liverpool will also have a 20% sell on clause if the deal becomes permanent.

Appearances per season

Please note

The Reds have agreed an initial two-year loan with the Turkish outfit who will pay a loan fee of £2.25million.
Besiktas are obligated to buy the German shot-stopper for a further £7.25million in 2020 if certain performance criteria are met. These are related to appearances and Besiktas qualifying for Europe.
Liverpool will also have a 20% sell on clause if the deal becomes permanent.